title: Initiation of a home hemotherapy program using a primary nursing model.
abstract: A home hemotherapy pilot study was implemented based on a primary nursing model. Seventy-one patients received a total of 248 units of red blood cells and 104 units of platelets during 137 home transfusions. In no case did a clinical change in patient status require the interruption of the transfusion. Total nursing time for the pretransfusion, transfusion, and posttransfusion follow-up visits for each patient averaged 4.36 hours, while another 4.45 hours accounted for nurse travel to and from the home and the blood bank. Home hemotherapy is a viable option for selected homebound patients. Program success is dependent on staff education, strict clinical guidelines, and an acknowledgment of the time required to provide quality patient care.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Crocker
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Coker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000451:nursing*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011321:Primary Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*